Chemistry of minerals, crystals and gems Books

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Book SynopsisCally Hall is a geology expert and an author of educational guidebooks that make the subject accessible to a variety of readers. In addition to DK Handbook: Gemstones, she has also written science-themed books aimed at younger audiences.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, illustrated identification guide for beginners and serious collectors alike, featuring special colour photography of specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive introduction to gemstones with stunning colour photographs, written by Natural History Museum curator Robin Hansen.Trade Review'The detail given to each gemstone is exceptional... [the] photography is superb, and along with the photos of gemstones - many from the NHM collection themselves - there are well-selected photos of gem mineral specimens.' Mindat.org

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Book SynopsisDiscover the fascinating world of the treasures beneath your feet. Minerals and Gemstones is an accessible and informative reference guide to 300 different minerals and gemstones, from simple sandstones to sanidine, jade and diamond. Learn what the Earth is made of, how its rocks were formed and how minerals and gems are used today. Minerals and Gemstones is divided into sections covering the internationally recognised classification groups. Each entry includes an accurately reproduced and representative colour photograph, and a key information table including specifications such as the colour, lustre, streak, hardness, specific gravity, cleavage, habit and crystal system of each type of mineral and gemstone. Full of facts and with an engaging but expertly written text, this handy, pocket-size book is a valuable reference source as well as a fascinating read.Table of ContentsIntroduction Native Elements Sulphides Halogenides Oxides and Hydroxides Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates Silicates Other Minerals Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisDr Ronald L. Bonewitz has more than 50 years' experience as a geologist, prospector, miner, and gem cutter, and is able to provide a unique and wide-ranging perspective on the subject.

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Book SynopsisAlthough Arab contribution to the sciences is generally well known in the Western world, Arab contributions to the study of gemology are less recognized because of the lack of English-language translations of notable Arab texts. Scarecrow Press is pleased to present Samar Najm Abul Huda''s translation of Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi''s study of gems. Born in 1184, Al Tifaschi first learned about gems from his father, and augmented his knowledge through readings of Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Pliny, as well as through extensive travels to mines and trading centers. In 1253, he wrote what later became known as the most methodical and complete work on precious stones. Gemologists of today are still astounded by the advanced observations that Al Tifaschi made in this work. The book covers 25 different stones, giving the crystallographic forms and physical properties such as hardness, lustre, and dispersion. The book also describes causes of the formation of gemstones within their mother

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Book SynopsisA fine treatment of this critical time in geology's history. Although it goes against our standard histories of the field, Laudan defends her views convincingly. Her style is direct, with carefully reasoned personal opinions and interpretations clearly defined. Jere H. Lipps, The Scientist

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Book SynopsisBestselling author and crystal expert Philip Permutt offers the essential guide on how to take advantage of the powerful properties of crystals and how to apply their healing energies. Crystal Connections is a detailed, accessible and fully illustrated guide to harnessing the magic of crystals, written by one of the world’s leading crystal healers. While there are many books on crystals, this one is directed at communicating and understanding the messages within them. Discover crystals as living beings and how they not only help to heal us but also affect how we feel and influence our responses to the wider world. They can support us when we feel down or need a helping hand, or boost our natural abilities when things are going well. Crystals improve the quality of our lives. Learn how to recognize and connect with the energy of your crystals, work with them in dowsing, divination and healing practices, how they relate to chakras, how to cleanse and look after them, and much more. Also included is a full-colour crystal finder section featuring 101 of the most important crystals.Trade ReviewIf you are eager to learn more about how crystals can enhance your life, Crystal Connections is a great place to start! – Musing MysticalAn amazing resource for those seeking a change in how they live and the spaces they inhabit – Musing Mystical

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Book SynopsisThis volume is a simplified and condensed version of Fundamentals of Solid Physics and Applications of Soil Physics (Academic Press, 1980). It provides a presentation of the physical properties of solids, the state and transport of matter and energy within soil bodies, and their interactions with the surrounding environment.Table of ContentsBasic Relationships. The task of Soil Physics. General Physical Characteristics of Soils. The Solid Phase. Texture, Particle Size Distribution, and Specific Surface. Soil Structure and Aggregation. The Liquid Phase. Soil Water: Content and Potential. Flow of Water in Saturated Soil. Flow of Water in Unsaturated Soil. The Gaseous Phase. Soil Air and Aeration. Composite Properties and Behavior. Soil Temperature and Hear Flow. Soil Compaction and Consolidation. Tillage and Soil Structure Management. The Field--Water Cycle and Its Management. Infiltration and Surface Runoff. Internal Drainage and Redistribution Following Infiltration. Groundwater Drainage. Evaporation from Bare-Surface Soils. Uptake of Soil Moisture by Plants. Water Balance and Energy Balance in the Field. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Introduction to Mineralogy, Third Edition, combines incredibly helpful optical data on minerals with the classic information of a mineralogy textbook. Nesse has done a masterful job creating what I think is hands down the best reference for optical characteristics. I view this book as a text for my students and as a future reference for them in their work as geologists."--Dori Farthing, State University of New York at Geneseo "The major concepts are covered well and the additional details provide an extended challenge for those students who are particularly interested or have the right background to truly grasp the more complex concepts. This is really one of the best textbooks I have used for any of the courses I have taught."--Rachel L. Walters, University of FloridaTable of ContentsEach chapter opens with an Introduction and ends with References Cited and Suggestions for Additional Reading. PART ONE. CRYSTALLOGRAPHY AND CRYSTAL CHEMISTRY Chapter 1. Introduction Minerals Mineraloids Mineralogy Mineral Nomenclature General References on Mineralogy Minerals and Society --Natural Resources --Minerals and Health Getting Started Box 1.1 Getting Started: Mineral Physical Properties Chapter 2. Crystallography Translational Symmetry: Two Dimensions Plane Lattices Translational Symmetry: Three Dimensions --Space Lattices and Unit Cell --Bravais Lattices and Crystal Systems Point Symmetry --Reflection --Rotation --Inversion --Compound Symmetry Operations --Symmetry Notation The 32 Point Groups --Steno's Law --Measurement of Crystal Angles --Determining Crystal System and Crystal Class Space Groups Box 2.1 Quasicrystals Crystal Faces --Laws of Haüy and Bravais --Miller Indices --Indices and Crystal Axes in the Hexagonal Crystal System --Determining Miller Index -- Crystallographic Planes --Assigning Miller Indexes by Inspection Crystallographic Directions Zones Crystal Forms --Isometric Forms --Non-isometric Forms --Combining Crystal Forms --Enantiomorphous Forms and Crystals --Positive and Negative Forms Forms in the Six Crystal Systems --Triclinic Crystal System --Monoclinic Crystal System --Orthorhombic Crystal System --Tetragonal Crystal System --Hexagonal Crystal System --Isometric Crystal System Crystal Habit Chapter 3. Crystal Chemistry The Nature of Chemical Elements --Nucleus --Electrons --Formation of Ions Abundance of the Elements Chemical Bonding --Valence-Related Bonding --Relation among Valence-Dependent Bondings Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors --Bonds Involving Asymmetric Charge Distribution Size of Atoms and Ions --Oxidation State --Coordination Chapter 4. Crystal Structure Illustrating Mineral Structures Controls of Crystal Structure --Structure Controls with Metallic Bonding --Structure Controls with Covalent Bonding --Structure Controls with Ionic Bonding --Application of Pauling's Rules Structure Controls with Molecular Crystals Isostructural Minerals Polymorphism --Reconstructive Polymorphism --Displacive Polymorphism --Order-Disorder Polymorphism --Polytypism Mineral Classification Compositional Variation in Minerals --Substitutional Solid Solution --Omission Substitution Solution --Intersitial Substitution Mineral Formulas Graphical Representation --Binary diagrams --Ternary diagrams Chapter 5. Mineral Growth --Mineral Stability --Stability --Gibbs Free Energy --Mineral Reactions Phase Diagrams --Single-Component Systems --Binary Systems Mineral Nucleation --Homogeneous Nucleation --Heterogeneous Nucleation Crystal Growth --Rate of Growth --Zoned Crystals Structural Defects --Point Defects --Line Defects --Planar Defects Twinning --Growth Twinning --Transformation Twinning --Deformation Twinning Post-crystallization Processes --Ordering --Twinning --Recrystallization --Exsolution --Pseudomorphism --Radioactivity and Minerals Mineral Evolution Biomineralization --Biologically Induced Mineralization --Biologically Controlled Mineralization --Applications PART II: Mineral Properties, Study, and Identification Chapter 6. Physical Properties of Minerals Mass Dependent Properties --Density --Specific Gravity Properties Related to Mechanical Cohesion --Hardness --Tenacity --Cleavage --Fracture --Parting Color and Luster --Light --Perception of Color --Mineral Luster --Mineral Color --Color from Mechanical Causes --Consistency of Mineral Color --Streak --Luminescence Magnetism --Diamagnetism --Paramagnetism --Ferromagnetism --Ferrimagnetism Electrical Properties --Electrical Conductivity --Piezoelectricity --Pyroelectricity Miscellaneous Properties Chapter 7. Optical Mineralogy Introduction Light --Light Waves --Polarized Light Interaction of Light and Matter --Optically Isotropic vs. Anisotropic Materials --Reflection and Refraction --Dispersion Petrographic Microscope --Illuminator --Substage Assembly --Microscope Stage --Objective Lenses --Upper Polarizer --Bertrand Lens --Oculars --Focusing Mechanism --Accessories --Direction Conventions Isotropic Materials Anisotropic Minerals --Interference Phenomena --Use of the Interference Color Chart --Extinction --Function of Accessory Plates Optical Indicatrix --Isotropic Indicatrix --Uniaxial Indicatrix --Biaxial Indicatrix Mineral Color & Pleochroism --Isotropic Minerals --Uniaxial Minerals --Biaxial Minerals Extinction Angle and Sign of Elongation --Extinction Angle --Sign of Elongation --Categories of Extinction --Extinction in Uniaxial Minerals --Extinction in Biaxial Minerals Interference Figures --Uniaxial Interference Figures --Biaxial Interference Figure Refractometry: Measurement of Index of Refraction --Immersion Method --Refractometry in Thin Section --Isotropic Minerals --Uniaxial Minerals --Biaxial Minerals Reflected-Light Optics --Observation in Plane-Polarized Light --Observations with Crossed Polarizers --Internal Reflections Tactics for Mineral Identification --Thin Section Identification --Grain Mount Identification --Polished Section Identification Chapter 8. Introduction to X-ray Crystallography X-rays --X-ray Generation --X-ray Detection X-ray Diffraction Powder Method --Sample Preparation --Instrumental Output --Data Reduction --Powder Diffraction File --Bragg Reflection Indices --Mineral Identification --Mixed Samples --Estimation of Relative Mineral Abundance --Estimation of Composition Determining Unit Cell Parameters Chapter 9. Chemical Analysis of Minerals Analytical Methods --Wet Chemical --Electron Probe Microanalysis --Scanning Electron Microscopy --X-ray Fluorescence --Mass Spectrometry --Conventions in Reporting Chemical Analyses Conversion of Chemical Analyses to Structural Formulas Chapter 10. Strategies for Study Presentation of Mineral Data Mineral Identification Tactics --Hand-Sample Identification --Thin Section Identification --Grain Mount Identification --Polished Section Identification --Electron Microprobe --Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) --X-ray Diffraction Mineral Separation Mineral Association Problems in Paradise Section III: Mineral Descriptions Chapter 11. Silicates Silicate Structure and Classification Silicate Chemical Formula Mafic vs. Felsic Igneous Rocks --Magmatic Processes --Igneous Environments Terrigenous Sedimentary Rocks --Sedimentary Processes --Sedimentary Environments Metamorphic Rocks --Metamorphic Variables --Metamorphic Processes --Metamorphic Grade, Facies, Mineral Zone Boundaries and Isograds --Major Compositional Groups of Metamorphic Rocks --Metamorphic Environments Chapter 12. Framework Silicates Silica Group --Quartz Box 12.1 Micro- and Non-Crystalline Silica --Tridymite --Cristobalite --Opal Feldspar Group --Composition --Structure --Al/Si Order/-Disorder --Exsolution in the Feldspars --Other Feldspar Intergrowths --Twinning --Plagioclase Alkali Feldspar --Distinguishing Features in Hand Sample --Microcline --Orthoclars --Sanidine --Adularia --Anorthoclase Feldspathoids --Nepheline --Leucite --Sodalite Zeolite Group Other Framework Silicates --Scapolite Chapter 13. Sheet Silicates Structure and Classification --1:1 Layer Silicates --2:1 Layer Silicates --Polytypism TO Structures (1:1) --Serpentine (Antigorite, Chrysotile, Lizardite) --Kaolinite TOT Structures (2:1) --Talc --Pyrophyllite TOT + c Structures: Mica Minerals (2:1) --Muscovite --Biotite --Lepidolite --Glauconite TOT + c Structures: Brittle Micas (2:1) --Margarite --Clintonite TOT + O Structure --Chlorite Clay Minerals --Structure and Classification --Geology of Clay --Identification --Uses --Clay in the Environment Other Sheet Silicates --Stilpnomelane --Prehnite --Apophyllite --Chrysocolla Chapter 14. Chain Silicates Pyroxene Group --Structure and Classification --Geology of Pyroxenes --Orthopyroxene --Pigeonite --Calcic Clinopyroxene --Aegirine, Aegirine-Augite --Jadeite --Omphacite --Spodumene Pyroxenoid Group --Introduction --Wollastonite --Rhodonite --Pectolite Amphibole Group --Structure and Classification --Geology of Amphiboles --Orthoamphibole --Cummingtonite-Grunerite --Tremolite-Ferro-actinolite --Hornblende --Glaucophane-Riebeckite --Other Amphiboles Chapter 15. Disilicates and Ring Silicates Disilicates --Structure and Classification --Zoisite --Clinozoisite-Epidote --Allanite --Lawsonite --Pumpellyite Ring Silicates --Structure & Classification --Beryl --Cordierite --Tourmaline Chapter 16. Orthosilicates --Olivine Group --Garnet Group --Zircon Aluminum Silicates --Andalusite --Sillimanite --Kyanite --Staurolite --Chloritoid --Titanite --Topaz Chapter 17. Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Borates, Tungstates, and Molybdates Structure and Classification Carbonates Rhombohedral Carbonates (Calcite and Dolomite Groups) --Calcite Box 17.1 Limestone and Dolostone --Magnesite --Siderite --Rhodochrosite --Dolomite-Ankerite Aragonite Group --Aragonite --Witherite --Strontianite OH-Bearing Carbonates --Malachite --Azurite Box 17.2 Evaporites Sulfates --Gypsum --Anhydrite --Barite Phosphates --Apatite --Monazite --Xenotime --Tourquoise Tungstates and Molybdates Borates Chapter 18. Oxides, Hydroxides, and Halides Oxides X2O Group --Cuprite --Ice Box 18.1 Paleoclimate XO Group XY2O4 Minerals --Spinel Group --Magnetite Box 18.2 Sedimentary Iron Formations --Chromite --Spinel Series --Chrysoberyl X2O3 Group --Hematite --Corundum --Ilmenite XO2 Group --Rutile --Cassiterite --Uraninite Hydroxides --Brucite --Iron Hydroxide Minerals --Aluminum Hydroxide Minerals --Manganese Oxide and Hydroxide Minerals Halides --Halite --Sylvite --Fluorite Chapter 19. Sulfides and Related Minerals Crystal Chemistry and Classification Sulfide Paragenesis --Hydrothermal Deposits --Supergene Processes Sulfide Minerals --Sphalerite --Galena --Pyrrhotite --Chalcopyrite --Cinnabar --Pyrite --Marcasite --Molybdenite --Bornite --Chalcocite --Covellite Sulfarsenides --Arsenopyrite Arsenides Tellurides Chapter 20. Native Elements Metals --Gold --Silver --Copper Semimetals Nonmetals --Sulfur --Graphite Box 20.1 Graphitic Carbon --Diamond APPENDICES Appendix A. Effective Ionic Radii of the Elements Appendix B. Determinative Tables Table B.1. Non-Metallic Minerals with White, Gray, or Other Pale-Colored Streak Table B.2. Non-Metallic Minerals with Distinctly Colored Streak Table B.3. Minerals with Metallic and Submetallic Luster Table B.4. Specific Gravity Table B.5. Minerals That May Fluoresce Table B.6. Selected Minerals That Are Ferromagnetic and Ferrimagnetic Table B.7. Minerals That Effervesce in Dilute HCl Table B.8. Color of Minerals in Thin Section and Grain Mount Table B9. Indices of Refraction of Isotropic Minerals Table B.10. Indices of Refraction of Uniaxial Minerals Table B.11. Indices of Refraction of Biaxial Negative Minerals in Order of Increasing n6 Table B.12. Indices of Refraction of Biaxial Positive Minerals Arranged in Order of Increasing n6 Table B.13. Minerals That Produce Pleochroic Halos in Surrounding Minerals Table B.14. Colors Exhibited by Opaque Minerals That Display Internal Reflections with Reflected Light Appendix C. Mineral Associations Table C1. Mineralogy of Common Igneous Rocks Table C2. Mineralogy of Sedimentary Rocks Table C3. Mineralogy of Common Metamorphic Rocks Table C4. Mineralogy of Hydrothermal Sulfide Deposits Mineral Index Subject Index

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book to specifically address the preservation of an increasingly important group of materials. Techniques for processing minerals and rocks in the field and laboratory are outlined as well as the effects of treatments on specimens.Readership: Professional museum staff, curators and conservators, scientists and technicians; Students of mineralogy, private collectors.Trade Review'The quantity of relevant information drawn together about mineral species, their deterioration and recommendations for their care make this book an essential resource for anyone responsible for geological collections.' Barbara Moore, Studies in Conservation, 5/1994 - Studies in Conservation, May 1994 Table of ContentsContents include: The stability of minerals; Conserving light sensitive minerals and gems; Temperature and humidity sensitive mineralogical and petrological specimens; Pyrite; Meteorites; Hazards for the mineral collector, conservator and curator.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1848, authored by J.D. Dana, the Manual of Mineral Science now enters its 23rd edition. This new edition continuesin the footsteps or its predecessors as the standard textbook in Mineralogy/Mineral Science/Earth Materials/Rocks andMinerals courses. This new edition contains 22 chapters, instead of 14 as in the prior edition. This is the result of having packaged coherent subject matter into smaller, more easily accessible units. Each chapter has a new and expanded introductory statement, which gives the user a quick overview of what is to come. Just before these introductions, each chapter features a new illustration that highlights some aspect of the subject in that particular chapter. All such changes make the text more readable, user-friendly and searchable. Many of the first 14 chapters are reasonably independent of each other, allowing for great flexibility in an instructor''s preferred subject sequence. The majority of illustrations in this edition w

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Book SynopsisMetamorphic Crystallization investigates the upper regions of the crystalline Earth, where countless solid-state chemical changes have taken place during the long history of the planet. The exploration proceeds in five stages.Table of ContentsThe Geological Background. Mineral Thermodynamics. Phase Equilibrium. Chemical Kinetics. Granular Microstructures and Crystallization Mechanisms. Appendices. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisTraces the journeys of a stone across the world. This book recounts the origins, trade, and circulation of a natural object in the context of the history of Islamic Eurasia and global encounters between empire and nature.Trade Review"An elegant book that modestly hides the author's extraordinary linguistic and cultural knowledge ... sets a high bar." -- Kris Lane American Historical ReviewTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Introduction: The Turquoise Ring of the Emperor Jahangir 1. The Colored Earth 2. Turquoise, Trade, and Empire in Early Modern Eurasia 3. The Turquoise of Islam 4. Stone from the East 5. The Other Side of the World Epilogue: Indian Stone Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisCommissioned by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks (SCMR), this 2007 book presents a complete nomenclature of metamorphic rocks, with a glossary of definitions, sources and etymology. This book will form a key reference and international standard for geoscientists studying metamorphic rocks.Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'This text is essential for all studying metamorphic rocks and as such must be in libraries covering geology at an advanced level. It has a companion version to igneous rocks.' Science and technologyTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction D. Fettes and J. Desmons; 2. Classification and nomenclature scheme R. Schmid, D. Fettes, B. Harte, E. Davis, J. Desmons, W. Smulikowski, F. Sassi, K. Brodie, P. Arkai, W. Wimmenauer, I. Bryhni, O. Rosen, J. Coutinho, H. Kräutner, S. Sen, V. Zharikov, N. Pertsev, V. Rusinov, E. Callegari, D. Stöffler, R. Grieve and J. Siivola; 3. Glossary; 4. References; Appendices.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook describes the fundamental principles of structural phase transitions in materials in an easily understandable form, suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students.Trade Review"...the author is admired for integrating the subject at its infancy; the book describes phenomena, domain structures, and theories of phase transition and wall mobility, with generous illustrations of geologically interesting materials. The first few chapters are suitable for general reading, the level being similar to the articles in Scientific American. The more persistent readers will benefit from later chapters and a long bibliography of known co-elastic crystals. I strongly recommend this book to all science and engineering libraries, as well as to anyone who wishes to learn ferroelasticity." Z. Suo, PAGEOPHTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction and some definitions; 2. Ferroelastic and co-elastic phase transitions; 3. The Landau potential; 4. The spontaneous strain; 5. Coupling between the spontaneous strain and the order parameter; 6. Macroscopic classification of ferroic and co-elastic crystals; 7. Ferroelastic and co-elastic twin structures; 8. Domain mobilities and elastic instabilities in ferroelastic and co-elastic materials; 9. Specific heat anomalies and the excess entropy; 10. Coupling between order parameters in ferroelastic and co-elastic crystals; 11. Gradient coupling and strain modulations; 12. Some aspects of the kinetic behaviour of ferroelastic and co-elastic crystals: an outlook; References.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding how and why crystals nucleate and grow is important not only for modern technologies, but also in understanding the interior of the Earth and biomineralization. This clear explanation of the atomic processes behind crystal growth, and case studies of complex systems is essential reading for advanced graduates and researchers.Trade Review"I can recommend [the book] to any mineralogist who cn appreciate new ideas in the theoretical approach to crystal forms and in different methods and techniques for internal and external study of crystals. This up-to-date work has a place also in introductory courses in crystallography and mineralogy." The Canadian Mineralogist, R.I. Kostov, University of Mining and Geology, Bulgaria"In this reviewer's opinion, this is the comst comprehensive book currently available on crystal growth and morphology." --Gems and GemologyTable of ContentsForeword to the English translation; Preface; Part I. Fundamental Concepts: 1. Introduction; 2. Crystal forms; 3. Crystal growth; 4. Factors determining the morphology of polyhedral crystals; 5. Surface microtopography of crystal faces; 6. Perfection and homogeneity of single crystals; 7. Regular intergrowth of crystals; 8. Forms and textures of polycrystalline aggregates; Part II. Application to Complicated and Complex Systems (Case Studies): 9. Diamond; 10. Rock-crystal (quartz); 11. Pyrite and calcite; 12. Minerals formed by vapour growth; 13. Crystals formed by metasomatism and metamorphism; 14. Crystals formed through biological activity; Appendixes; Materials index; Subject index.

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Book SynopsisThis absorbing and often astonishing history of legendary gems is told with style and wit by expert gemmologist Eric Bruton. Prospecting and mining details, plus the inside (and sometimes sordid) stories of how enormous stones were cut and dispersed in great secrecy, make this book a 'must' read for the gemmologist and jeweller.

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Book SynopsisWritten by a diamond expert this book is based on thousands of hours of research with specialists worldwide. Whether you are using this book to learn the facts about purchasing diamonds, understand the trade, prepare for formal examinations or simply satisfy your curiosity, this is the most absorbing and comprehensive book on the market.

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Book SynopsisPrepare to be dazzled by this shining and sumptuous visual guide to the world's greatest treasures.Feast your eyes on glittering gemstones, kaleidoscopic minerals, and famous trinkets in this comprehensive exploration of Earth's finest jewels.Following a foreword from Aja Raden, hundreds of pages take a lavish look at precious stones, precious metals, and organic gems in all their natural wonder. From agate to zoisite, everything under the Sun is encapsulated in spectacular photography and accessible text.Trace the history of gemmology and get the inside story on our planet's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fabergé eggs. Find out their physical properties, check the price tags, and discover the most remarkable record-breakers.This exceptionally extravagant book is a picture-packed, fact-filled celebration guaranteed to bring sparkle to your life and yoTrade Review"Feast your eyes on the most beautiful encyclopedia of jewelry you will ever find." — Los Angeles Times"Gem offers a dazzling take at jewels." — The Star-Ledger

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Book SynopsisDiscover the history of precious, semi-precious, and organic gemstones, their scientific properties, their mythical powers, and their traditional uses.Humans have been beguiled and fascinated by gemstones and crystals since prehistory, and made use of them for everything from currency and ceremonial decoration to tokens of love or power. But why have some been considered more significant than others – rare or otherwise? Learn all about the key characteristics of precious and semi-precious stones, and discover the science behind some of their more unusual and mysterious properties, and the various ways in which they have taken on powerful symbolic meanings. How did the Vikings use iolite to help them steer their ships, for example? Why did the Ancient Greeks and Romans believe that sardonyx could protect them in battle?Dive deep into the pages of this curated crystal book to discover:- A quirky and compelling angle on the sub

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Book SynopsisThe Ozarks highland region of the Midwest, located in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, contains beautiful mineral specimens for those with sharp eyes and a keen interest to discover minerals. Over 500 images represent the collectible minerals of the western Ozarks tristate district and Missouri's Viburnum Trend. Barite and fluorite as well as a variety of colorful copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron minerals grace the pages of this book, as do various forms of calcite and quartz, the latter of which can be a rock hound''s delight. The fascinating and approachable text discusses these Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) minerals, their deposition, how they fit into the broader scope of North American mineralogy, and the locations of MVT minerals around the world. A focus of the book are those minerals that historically occur along the Ozarks'' extensive waterways. This unique book is a must for anyone fascinated with the earth''s natural beauty.

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Book SynopsisNewly revised and expanded, this seventh edition of Industrial Minerals and Rocks builds on the strengths of the earlier editions but adds significant new content. This widely read global reference tool is one of the most authoritative sources for timely information on industrial minerals and rocks, the markets they serve, and their multitude of uses.

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